Intermediate Product Yield Enhancement with a Catalytic Inorganic Membrane-i. Analytical Model for the Case of Isothermal and Differential Operation

A imple model is developed to examine the performance of a supported catalytic membrane within which occurs the co-utive--parallel reaction system given by A + B + R, with rate = k, pm*’ p:, and A + R + P, with rate = kap22pF,. Closed-form sohtticms reveal that segregation of reactanti ft and B to oppmits sides of the membrane IS an effective strategy for increasing the dmired producr (R) point yield. However, increases in the component II yield come ar the expense of the point catalyst utilization, due, in part, to depletion of reacting components El and R. The membrane prkmance is sensitive to the relative reaction orders with respect to component A for the special case in which the rates are zero&order with rezpea to B and R (xg = uR = 0). The segregation strategy is shown to be most k.mScial il three requirements are met: (i) m:A, -z aAx, (ii) k, , k, sufticiently large and (iii) active layer suticieutly chio compared to support. LInder favorable conditions [requirements (i)--(iii) met], component R is selectively produced near the active layer surface, and difb.w out d the membrane before further reaction to undesired pr~dwt (P). The simulations iadicate that the fraetianti incomes in the R yield attained, as the degree ofsegregation is increased, ex& the kaetional deem in C&IIYS~ utilhatiorrA mcmdary benefit of the membrane design is the confinement 01 reaction prtiucts in the bulk stream on the active layer side, thus reducing the downbtrtim sepwation needs.